View full sizeCourtesy of the Barrie ExaminerDalton Prout (left) plays defense against the Sudbury Wolves in a game earlier this season

Dalton Prout will become the Saginaw Spirit's newest defenseman, after he was acquired Sunday in exchange for defensemen Alex Lepkowski, Matt Ashman, and a pair of third round draft picks, Spirit General Manager and head coach Todd Watson said.

Prout, a 20-year-old member of the Barrie Colts, has notched 20 points in 23 games this year, and has 15 goals and 40 assists in 257 OHL games.

And at 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, the Spirit hope Prout will bring a physical presence to the blue line.

"We add size," Watson said. "He can play the power play, he can kill the penalties, he's a great team guy. He's physical."

The trade came less than 24 hours before the league's trade deadline at noon Monday. Watson said he would try to complete at least one more deal before then.

"We're not done shaping the roster," Watson said.

Lepkowski, a 1993-born defenseman drafted in the fourth round in 2009, appeared in 24 games with Saginaw, recording three points. Ashman, a 20-year-old, was acquired from London over the summer and had 10 points in 33 games for Saginaw.

The trade swapped a pair of overage players, meaning the Spirit will still need to shed one of its four 20-year-olds by tomorrow's trade deadline to get down to the league maximum.